Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment

Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment: Hypothyroidism is a thyroid disorder caused by an underactive thyroid gland. This happens when the thyroid gland fails to produce an adequate amount of thyroid hormones needed by the body for metabolism. This disorder will eventually cause one to feel or notice fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, dry skin, depression and a lot more. Symptoms vary per person. The right treatment is immediately required to eliminate the permanent effects of this thyroid disorder.

Choosing A Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment

Choosing a natural hypothyroidism treatment has been proven to be effective. As the metabolic rate of the body slows down, it is strongly suggested that one get plenty of exercise and be mindful of their food intake. There are a lot of natural treatments for hypothyroidism but these should be started immediately upon diagnosis of the thyroid problem. Treatments (lithium etc) that interfere with thyroid function or aggravate hypothyroidism should be discontinued but always talk to your doctor about starting or discontinuing any type of prescription or alternative medications.

The first thing to do when using a natural hypothyroidism treatment is to control your diet. It must be rich in iodine and protein. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. It is also wise to avoid spinach, peanuts, soybeans and the likes as these are known to suppress the human thyroid function. There is more information about the right and wrong types of foods to eat with hypothyroidism here.

Taking supplements is also helpful as these curb the ill effects of the thyroid disorder. An increased iodine intake can naturally help overcome iodine deficiency in the body. Eating foods rich in iodine helps with hypothyroidism caused by iodine deficiencies. Taking vitamins A, B, C and E also help in reducing hypothyroidism problems. Natural remedies include herbs like guggul and Irish moss. Both help in treating hypothyroidism naturally with no known side effects.

Acupuncture and neutral therapy are also known to be options for natural treatments. Both have minimum side effects and maximum gains. Having a healthy lifestyle is also a great contribution in battling hypothyroidism. Having a balanced and health diet and exercising regularly helps one ward off hypothyroidism.

Interesting Questions about Thyroid:

Beta-Blocking Drugs

When are beta-blocking drugs used?

Beta-blocking drugs, also called beta blockers, treat the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. They do not significantly affect the gland or the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood. Instead, they “block” the effects of thyroid hormones.

Beta blockers are most useful for patients whose hyperthyroidism makes them uncomfortable. High hormone levels can cause a faster heart rate and trembling. Beta-blocking drugs help control these symptoms.

Beta-blocking drugs should not be used by patients with asthma.

Thyroid Hormone Pills

When are thyroid hormone pills used?

Thyroid hormone pills provide the body with the right amount of thyroid hormone when the gland is not able to produce enough by itself. The pills are frequently needed after surgeryor radioactive iodine therapy.

Thyroid hormone tablets are the standard treatment for hypothyroidism. While symptoms usually get better within a few months, most patients must take the pills for the rest of their lives. This is especially true for hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or radioactive iodine treatment.

If the entire thyroid gland has been surgically removed, thyroid hormone tablets replace the body’s own source of the hormone. If only a part of the gland has been removed, the pills may keep the remaining gland from working too hard. This decreases the chance that the thyroid gland will grow back.

How much hormone do I need?

The preferred hormone for treatment is levothyroxine (T4). You should use only the brand-name that your doctor prescribes, since generic brands may not be as reliable. Name-brand levothyroxine pills include Synthroid®, Levoxyl®, Levothroid®, Euthyrox®, and Eltroxin®.

Patients sometimes take more pills than they should, trying to speed up the treatment or lose weight. However, this can lead to hyperthyroidism and long term complications, such as osteoporosis. You should take the pills as your doctor prescribes.

At different times in your life, you may need to take different amounts of thyroid hormone. Therefore, you should see your doctor at least once a year to make sure everything is all right.

® Synthroid is a registered trademark of Knoll Pharmaceuticals.
® Levoxyl is a registered trademark of Jones Medical Industries.
® Levothroid is a registered trademark of Forest Pharmaceuticals.
® Euthyrox is a registered trademark of EM Pharma.
® Eltroxin is a registered trademark of Roberts Pharmaceuticals.

Are thyroid hormone pills needed after treatment for hyperthyroidism? Many patients treated for hyperthyroidism become hypothyroid. They will need to take thyroid hormone pills for the rest of their lives. In addition, they will need to see their doctor at least once a year.

Surgery (Thyroidectomy)

When is surgery performed?

Surgery (thyroidectomy) is the primary treatment for suspected thyroid cancer and can be used to treat hyperthyroidism. Surgery is used to remove large goiters that make breathing or swallowing difficult. Occasionally, a goiter may be removed for cosmetic reasons.Can you tell me more about cancer surgery?

If thyroid cancer is suspected, your doctor will recommend surgery. The surgeon usually removes only one lobe of the thyroid, unless cancer is confirmed at surgery. A section of the gland is tested during surgery (frozen section) to tell the surgeon whether it is cancerous (malignant) or not cancerous (benign). If it is malignant, all or most of the thyroid is removed. If the cancer has spread outside of the thyroid, lymph nodes in the neck may also have to be removed. In addition, radioactive iodinetherapy may be needed six weeks after surgery to destroy any remaining cancer tissue.

How is the cancer surgery operation done?

The operation is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes about two hours. After surgery, patients may stay in the hospital for up to three days. They may also need to take some time off from work (a week or two for a desk job and three to four weeks for physical labor).

Are there any risks to thyroid surgery?

Thyroid surgery is a safe treatment. However, as with any surgery, there are risks. About 1% of patients develop problems with normal speech caused by damage to nerves leading to the voice box, which lies very close to the thyroid. Occasionally, there may be damage to the parathyroid glands, which control the level of calcium in the blood. If this happens, the patient will need to take calcium and other medicines to prevent future problems. Minor risks of surgery include infection, bleeding, and a scar. The chance of death is very small.

What can be expected with thyroid surgery?

Patients will be in the hospital for one to three days.

Surgery is usually done under general anesthesia and lasts about two hours.

A small cut approximately three to four inches long is made along the natural crease of the neck.

After going to the recovery room for a few hours, patients are returned to their rooms. Patients can usually get out of bed, eat, and have visitors the evening of the surgery.

It can take up to a year for the scar to heal and the redness to disappear.

Because most of the thyroid gland is removed, some patients will have to begin lifelong thyroid hormone replacement.

What are the possible complications of thyroid surgery?

The four parathyroid glands located around the thyroid gland can be accidentally damaged causing low calcium levels that can lead to muscle spasms, convulsions, and the formation of cataracts, if untreated.

Minor voice changes are not uncommon, but only 1% of those operated on have major voice problems. The nerves from the larynx (voice box) are very near the thyroid gland and sometimes pass through the gland. It is sometimes unavoidable that they are damaged during surgery.

As with any surgery, there is the risk of surgical death, bleeding, and infection.

Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment – Diet

There are so many suggested diets and natural treatments for hypothyroidism. These treatments range from common supplements to diet changes and exercise. One must always consult a doctor first before beginning any treatment plan, be it medical or natural. Using a synthetic treatment for hypothyroidism may also mean being enslaved to taking medication for life. A natural hypothyroidism treatment diet to manage hypothyroidism has been proven to be not just effective but it also has no-known side effects.

Natural Hypothyroidism Treatment – Exercise

People who are suffering from hypothyroidism are advised to get plenty of exercise. Yoga is a great form of gentle exercise with many other therapeutic benefits.

Thyromine is a health supplement that helps provide nutrition to the thyroid gland to help it function healthily. Thyromine can help treat both under and over active thyroid problems.

Thyromine was originally created because researchers found that the thyroid gland often had issues that it could reverse on its own if it were getting the proper nutrition it needed. The nutrition that thyroid glands need is amino acids, iodine and vitamins and minerals found in vegetables. Thyromine is a complete supplement that provides all the nutrients the thyroid gland needs.

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Your Thyroid – Where Is It And What Does It Do?

The thyroid is a small butterfly shaped gland located in the base of your throat, below your voice box. Thyroid tissue is secretes 2 hormones that regulate metabolism. These hormones are thyroid thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Most people assume that metabolism is about the gastrointestinal tract and yes, it is. But it’s also about cellular metabolism. This is how your cells get fuel to produce the energy needed for cellular functions.

Thyroid hormones play an integral regulatory role in this process. Every cell in your body has thyroid hormone (TH) receptors. This means they ALL need TH at some point to function.

Abnormal Thyroid Hormone Production

Most of the hormone produced by the thyroid is T4 (around 80%) and the rest is T3. The body can’t use T4 so it’s converted to the more metabolically active T3 elsewhere in the body. T3 is then used to regulate a myriad of metabolic processes at cellular level.

When you have low thyroxine levels (T4) it means you’ll also have low levels of T3. This type of thyroid imbalance causes serious health problems. For a start, it means processes like insulin mediated glucose uptake are impaired. Glucose is your body’s primary source of cellular fuel. If your cells can’t get enough glucose to generate energy, they can’t function correctly. That in turn means you won’t function very well!

The Many Different Thyroid Problems

The power factories in cells (mitochondria) also need TH. TH ensures they receive enough glucose to produce energy. It also regulates the generation of new mitochondria. Without enough TH cells can’t produce new power factories to replace old ones as they die off. That’s on top of not getting enough fuel to produce energy!

This is why low TH levels can affect every major system and organ in your body. Blood circulation and pressure. Heart health. Body temperature. Mood and neurological function. Skin health and so on. They all rely on having healthy, functioning cells. But without correct cellular metabolism happening, they can’t be healthy. And that has disastrous consequences for your health!

Hypothyroidism – Low Thyroid Hormone Disorder

Serious thyroid deficiency disease, or hypothyroidism, affects around 2 to 3% of Americans. A further 10 – 15% have some form of subclinical hypothyroid disorder. Some experts believe the true figure is more like 80 – 90%! This makes hypothyroidism the most common of all thyroid conditions in humans.

Common Thyroid Syndrome Symptoms

Hypothyroidism causes symptoms that range from being almost undetectable to life threatening. It depends on the stage the disease is at. There is a list of the most common problems due to thyroid malfunction here.

Causes Of Thyroid Dysfunction

Many things can cause thyroid dysfunction. Iodine deficiency remains the leading cause of hypothyroidism in developing countries. In developed countries it’s Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. Other causes include thyroid tumors as well as pituitary and hypothalamus disorders. Radioactive treatment and some types of drugs are other common causes. Pregnancy is another. Menopausal women are also far more likely to develop this disorder than men.

Disclaimer: Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your treating doctor. The Thyroid Guide does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by The Thyroid Guide are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.

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Are Thyroid Problems Common?

Thyroid function problems are relatively common. Thyroid hormone disease results from overactive or underactive thyroid function. Of these two, the underactive thyroid function disorder hypothyroidism is far more common. Around 2 – 3% of people in the US have diagnosed severe hypothyroidism. A further 10 – 15% have subclinical forms of the disease. Experts though believe that true thyroid system dysfunction figures are much higher. Some believe it could be as high as 80 – 90% of the population!

Common Thyroid Disorders And Diseases

Diseases related to thyroid disorders include Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. This is an autoimmune disease. It is the most widespread thyroid disorder in developed countries. It causes hypothyroidism. Other thyroid diseases and disorders include Graves Disease, the leading cause of hyperthyroidism. Thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, goiter and thyroiditis are other diseases of this gland.

Thyroid Functions And Problems

The thyroid produces 2 hormones that regulate metabolism. The hormones are triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Problems in thyroid hormone production affect the entire body. Thyroid hormone controls metabolic function and energy production, right down to cellular level. When cells can’t get enough raw materials to produce energy, they can’t function correctly. This leads to problems with blood circulation. Also heart function, mood, body temperature and more.

Thyroid Disease Symptoms And Treatment

Thyroid symptoms causes a range of associated health disorders. Poor blood circulation slows down distribution of nutrients and oxygen to cells. This exacerbates the problems caused by lack of thyroid hormones. It also slows down removal of toxins from cells, causing toxic build up. This in turn sets off inflammation. A slow down in cellular metabolism causes lack of energy and sluggishness. It also contributes to a drop in basal temperature. This is the underlying mechanism for the characteristic hypothyroiditic low body temperature.

Thyroid hormones are involved in the production of important mood regulating neurotransmitters. Low levels of TH cause imbalances in these neurotransmitters. This affects mood. And contributes to the depression that so often comes with hypothyroidism. Which in turn contributes to stress and anxiety. And to the cascade of health problems that come with those.

Can Thyroid Disorders Be Treated Successfully?

Treatment for underactive thyroid disorders is with thyroid hormone replacement drugs. When taken according to instructions, most patients live normal, healthy lives.

Nonthyroidal Illness Syndrome (NTI)

Sometimes patients without thyroid-based illness will return abnormal results in thyroid function tests. This is Euthyroid sick syndrome or an NTI. Most patient recover full thyroid function once the NTI has passed.

Thyroid Symptoms Treatment

If you have thyroid issue symptoms, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Even though many symptoms are common to a range of other health conditions, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Most countries have official organizations that provide information and advice about thyroid conditions. There are also charities like Thyroid UK that offer support for people that have thyroid and similar disorders.